We should like to wish all of our students, parents and friends a happy and peaceful 2008

The Autumn Term was, as usual, very busy. A new Head Teacher, Tim Brookes, and a new Deputy Head Teacher, Jez Stockill, were appointed and they will take up their posts at the start of the Summer Term. Exciting plans for our new school, financed, as you know, through the Building Schools for the Future initiative were revealed and students, staff and parents were consulted about them. Wider community consultation will take place in mid January at a Neighbourhood Forum meeting. The largely new build school is due to open in September 2010.

The new year and the new term start, as usual, with public examinations for our Sixth Form students and, later, Year 11 will sit their practice GCSE exams. Teachers will ensure that the youngsters are as well prepared as possible and we know that we can count on parents to provide support during revision periods.

As you will know, I shall be retiring at the end of this term after 19 very happy, and stimulating years at Hanson. I shall be sad to leave my colleagues and the students and their families with whom I have much enjoyed working but I am looking forwards to the future with excitement. It is lovely to think, however, that I shall be able to look backwards with great fondness.